USA > Arkansas > Biographical and pictorial history of Arkansas. Vol I > Part 18
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HERMITAGE, April 4, 1823.
The Honorable WILLIAM S. FULTON, Esq., Florence, Alabama : (Mail.) :
DEAR FULTON - I received your letter of the 26th last even- ing. Our friend Gardner left me on the 22d ult., via Wash- ington, D. C., for Charleston, S. C. I hope he will return shortly and settle with us. Mrs. J. and myself regretted much that we had not the pleasure of seeing you and Mrs. F. at our house ; you will always find us friends without disguise. My counsel is always at your command, and on your change of life particularly you ought to have no fear of well-doing. The industry and economy of Mrs. F., in aid of your own exertions, will lead to wealth, or at least to independent competency, which is all that ought to be desired, it being all that is neces- sary or desirable. There is but one rule which every one ought to adopt and pursue to make him independent ; this I adopted when I first had a family, and have pursued it through life. It is, shortly, this : to learn to live within your means. A man can be as independent on $100 as on $5,000. Our real wants are very few, our imaginary wants numerous, which will daily increase if we feed or cherish them.
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It requires some energy to adopt this rule - fashion, a habit, has introduced many ideal wants which our pride, if left to rule, would lead us to keep up. It requires some little ex- ertion to keep down these feelings that habit has formed on us, but when once the resolution is formed, the propriety of the course examined and approved, you go on triumphant in your laudable course, and competency, happiness and independence follows in its train. I have benefited by this course. It is the one friendship and mature judgment recommends to you, which, if you adopt, your success through life is certain.
Your talents, with industry, will, without doubt, afford you a competency. You never ought to despond ; if you do; you
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lose that energy of application, that makes talent profitable. When you look around and see men, with half the information you possess, succeeding, it ought to give spur to your energy, that will insure success. You have many friends who will aid you, but in passing through life, you will find greatest aid when you are getting on well yourself. I have no doubt - never had - of your succeeding well. You can calculate on my friendship. Present Mrs. Jackson and myself affectionately to your lady. It is probable we shall be out in July next, when we shall cer- tainly visit you.
I have read the Florence Gazette, and read the piece you alluded to in your letter. It is well written, but you have erred in calling the " court " a court-martial. This court was a " special court" of inquiry, and so called in the order con- voking it, for investigating the charges against Arbuthnot and Ambrister. The order closes thus : "The court will record all the documents and testimony on the several cases, and their opinion of the guilt or innocence of the prisoners, and what punishment, if any, should be inflicted." Its jurisdiction was created by the order creating the court, and the court had no jurisdiction to award punishment. Its power was to inquire into the guilt or innocence, and give their opinion thereon.
This was a court similar to the special court ordered by Washington in the case of Andre. It neither enlarged nor contracted my powers as commanding general, as in all such cases, I had the right by the law of nations to retaliate or pun- ish ; nor could the organization of the court deprive me of this power. To give my full views on this subject, I have inclosed an extract from my memorial to congress on the subject, and will send you by the first opportunity the vindication of the president, and his commanding general on this subject. From both of these you will see my justification complete, and un- answerable, and it will enable you to amuse the readers of the Florence Gazette and inform them. It would be gratifying to me to learn from what quarter the late censure of my conduct has arisen, for having Arbuthnot and Ambrister punished agreeable to the laws of nations and of war. They cannot be Georgians or Alabamians, for it was this energy and decision that rescued all ages and sexes on the frontier of both States
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from the tomahawk and scalping-knife of the ruthless savage, excited by the wily arts of Arbuthnot and Ambrister, the pa- rents and progenitors of the revolting war. Every Christian and philanthropist must approve of their execution, as promoting the objects of humanity. I would, when your leisure occurs, like to know from what source this has arisen.
I will like to hear of the result of your county meeting ; there can be no doubt this is the only way the voice of the people can be heard. Intrigue is the order of the day, and unless the people assert their rights, it will be lost to them. The election of the president by the people, will be a mere name; he will be elected by intrigue and management without the voice of the people being heard. Should you see General Coffee and Mr. James Jackson present me to them - the latter I have expected on for some time. I shall write to the gen- eral shortly.
I am, sir, with esteem and respect, your friend.
ANDREW JACKSON. W. S. FULTON, Esq.
P. S .- Judge Fulton can use the inclosed as he thinks proper. If published, he can prepare it as he thinks proper, but not as furnished by me.
A. J.
This following letter from General Jackson to his confi- dential friend, at one of the most critical political periods in his life, will always possess an interest to all who feel an interest in the political history of the country :
WASHINGTON, December 21st, 1823.
The Honorable WILLIAM S. FULTON, Florence, Alabama :
MY DEAR SIR - I have received your letter of the 30th ult., and will aid with great pleasure in furnishing you with all the political information in my power - have obtained a promise from our mutual friend General Call to aid me, for the truth is, the receipt of letters, and the frequent calls on me by my friends, leave me but little leisure. I intermix but little in political circles, and do not obtain either as early or perfect knowledge of passing events, as those in the situation of General
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Call. I have directed him to forward weekly to you the Columbian Observer, which he has promised to do. I shall obtain from General Houston a similar promise. The caucus managers have tried their strength, but, as yet, I am told it is too feeble to make a movement. I am told they cannot muster more than the number of votes given to Mr. Barber for speaker. This was, I believe, forty-two. I am told they are decreasing in number. Whether this be the fact, I can- not say. I touch not, handle not, of this unclean thing. I hope the people will assume their rights and maintain them, and show the designing demagogues of the day, that they will not be intrigued out of their dearest right of electing the presi- dent of the United States.
On the subject of the presidential election, I can say nothing, but my friends here tell me I am gaining fast. Pennsylvania is fixed, Maryland it is said will follow her. New York will unmask shortly ; and if Crawford's friends, do not find their strength equal to getting up a caucus, he will be withdrawn in my opinion. In that case it is thought I will get Georgia and South Carolina, certain if Mr. Calhoun is withdrawn. It does not appear that Mr. Clay has gained any ground since he came here. Should he not obtain New York and Virginia, he will be withdrawn, and Kentucky, Illinois and Missouri, will, it is said and thought, be friendly to my election. The State of Ohio, it is thought, will not support Mr. Clay. It undoubtedly will not, unless he obtains more than his present strength. In that event, unless Mr. Clinton comes out, it will be divided between Mr. Adams and myself. You are to receive this as mere rumor ; a few months will develop these things. The common people have become alive to this question, and they will, I hope, elect the president. Should the choice fall on another, it will leave no heart-burnings in my heart. It is probable that if the State of New York elect their electors by the people, that a part of that State will be for me, and Ohio will be divided. A few months may, I may say weeks will, unmask the whole movements, and a judgment may be correctly formed. As it occurs, you will be correctly furnished with it. I am happy you have read O'Meara's works. The world generally had taken up false ideas of Napoleon - much pre-
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judice had been raised against him. I never had doubted, but he was a great and good man. His attack on Spain was the only evidence of ambition. You will have seen the presi- dent's message, it is strong and such as it should be. I am in- vited to a ball given by Mr. and Mrs. Adams on the 8th of January next.
The executive candidates are vieing with each other. I stand alone, and my friends have pursued a prudent course by supporting me on my own merits, and not by destroying the character of others. I hope they will pursue this course to the end, altho' they are vulnerable, still persecution would be the cry. It would injure more than benefit. When the other candidates quarrel, when any is withdrawn, it is human nature not to unite with an enemy, where there are others to unite with. I shall write you as leisure and matter may occur. Recollect this is for yourself, not for the public. Present me to General Coffee ; tell him I will write him shortly. Present me to your lady, and believe me to be your friend.
ANDREW JACKSON.
[NOTE BY THE AUTHOR .- The congressional caucus so bitterly opposed and de- nounced by General Jackson, nominated William H. Crawford of Georgia, for president, and Albert Gallatin, for vice president, but Mr. Gallatin declined, and John C. Calhoun was substituted in his place on the ticket. The old federal party ran John Quincy Adams for president. General Jackson appealed to the people. He was the first to denounce the tyranny of the old congressional oligarchy, which had named the candidates for president since the administration of Washington, without consulting or deferring to the people. Henry Clay followed the example of General Jackson, repudiated the caucus system, and appealed to the people to sustain him in the race for president. The vote of the electoral colleges stood :
For Jackson .. 99
For John Quincy Adams 84
For William H. Crawford. 41
For Henry Clay 37
Total 261
Necessary to a choice
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Calhoun received one hundred and eighty-two votes, and was declared vice-presi- dent.
The colleges failing to elect the president, the election devolved on the house of representatives, voting by States, the election then being limited to the three high- est candidates before the colleges. The States voting for Jackson were : Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Illinois - eleven in all. Those voting for John Quincy Adams were : New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachu-
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setts, New Hampshire and Maine - seven in all. Those voting for Mr. Clay were : Kentucky, Ohio and Missouri. Those voting for Mr. Crawford were: Delaware, Virginia and Georgia - three only. The choice was finally made by the house of representatives on the 9th day of February, 1825, voting by States. Adams received the votes of thirteen States, Jackson the votes of seven States. The States voting for Mr. Adams were: Kentucky, Ohio, Missouri, Louisiana, Illinois, Maryland, Ver- mont, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine - thirteen : a majority of one. The States voting for General Jackson were : Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, South Carolina, Indiana, Pennsylvania and New Jersey - seven in all. North Carolina, Delaware, Virginia, and Georgia voted for Mr. Crawford. It will be seen that all of the States voting for Mr. Clay in the elec- toral colleges voted for Mr. Adams in the house of representatives, and that Louis- iana, Illinois and Maryland, which had voted for General Jackson in the electoral colleges, deserted him when voting by States in the house of representatives.
From these facts two assumptions seem to be well supported ; first, that the will of the people in the choice of president was defeated by the politicians ; and second, that Henry Clay, for his disaffection to General Jackson, was rewarded in being placed at the head of the cabinet by Mr. Adams; whether he had stipulated for that stipend or not, he accepted the reward. It has been unfortunate for the fame of Mr. Clay; whether innocent or guilty, there was too close relationship between the act and its reward, to ward off the shadow, which will forever cloud his fame.]
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, April 11, 1829.
DEAR SIR - I have appointed you secretary to the Terri- tory of Arkansas. Your commission was signed on the 8th instant, and will be forwarded by the secretary of state. It will be proper that you should, if you accept, proceed forth- with to Arkansas, as it may be that Mr. Pope may not have accepted the appointment as governor, and until you arrive, there will be no person to administer the government. Pre- sent me to your lady and all friends respectfully, and say to. General Coffee that I have written twice lately, and would be happy to hear from him.
I am very respectfully your most obedient servant.
ANDREW JACKSON.
WM. FULTON, Esq., Florence.
The following letter will always be of interest in our local literature :
LITTLE ROCK, May 25, 1829.
DAVID FULTON, Esq., Florence, Alabama :
MY DEAR FATHER - Believing that you are very anxious to know my movements, and the result of my first operations at this place, I have felt it my duty to again address you. We
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arrived here safely the day after I last wrote you, altho' after I had written, we concluded to halt all that day, to give the driver an opportunity to hunt his horses. We set out early the next morning and arrived here safely, altho' we were constantly in dread of miring or being overturned, from the bad roads.
I have found no difficulty here ; the people have received us in the most friendly manner, and we find a highly respectable population, and a pretty little town, instead of the horrible place which Little Rock had been represented to us as being. The morning after my arrival, Mr. Crittenden sent me a note desir- ing me to call on him, as an old friend, and informing me that no difficulty should take place in the transfer of the office. On the very same day, he received the first official letter on the subject of his removal. He had not resigned the office, as I had thought probable, but says he intended to have done so.
After my interview with Mr. Crittenden, I went the next day to Judge Johnson, and was qualified ; and notwithstanding yesterday was Sunday, I was compelled to discharge some offi- cial duties, requiring immediate attention.
I was surprised and delighted by the arrival of brother John, who reached here on Saturday night, worn out and exhausted, having traveled all day and night from the Post of Arkansas, on account of the prairie flies, which we had the good fortune to escape. I have every reason to hope, that he will get along here as well as we could have expected.
I am now waiting by appointment upon Mr. Crittenden, who I shall meet presently, when a transfer of the secretary's office will take place, and I shall then take upon myself the temporary office of acting governor. Governor Pope is re- ported here, to be on his way, and we look for him in a week or two.
I find every thing like provisions high at this place. I have made a contract with Mr. Henderson to board in his family, until I can go to housekeeping, at $10 per week. John will remain at the tavern until the same time. House rent and hire are also high; but drygoods and groceries, which we feared the most, are much cheaper here than they are in Flor- ence.
Matilda (his wife) requests you to tell her mother that she
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is highly delighted with her new home, and that she has found female society here, every way equal to any she has ever been acquainted with. She wishes Sophia [her daughter who mar- ried Curran afterward] to be informed, that her pet, Elizabeth, and all the children are happy and contented. Remember us to Mr. and Mrs. Clarke, and to Eliza and Marshall. We have met with nothing but the most respectful attentions from the citizens of every part of the territory; and I have only to regret that the company which my official station draws around me, prevents me from devoting as much of my time to writing to my Florence friends as I had intended. Remember me to them all; and with our united love to all our relations, I am your affectionate and dutiful son,
WILLIAM S. FULTON.
NOTE .- These letters are all written on old-style paper, unruled, and are folded and sealed with wafer without envelope. Envelopes are the invention of a much later day.
Dr. John T. Fulton, the author of the following letter. is a brother of Governor Fulton ; and as it is interesting and his- torical, it is presented in this connection:
LITTLE ROCK, June 2, 1829.
DAVID FULTON, Esq., Florence, Alabama :
MY DEAR FATHER - I have not realized my expectations in the inducements presented by this country to a medical man- having formed the opinion that the country immediately adja- cent to the Rock was settled by planters of wealth ; instead of which I find but few settlers, and many of them scarcely able to furnish subsistence to their families. This is the country population. The town contains from two hundred and fifty to three hundred inhabitants, the most of whom receive their sup- port from means furnished by the government to her officers. This is the correct state of things, with five physicians, three of whom have families. They are dependent on these pros- pects for support. There is one flattering circumstance, how- ever, which furnishes me some encouragement, which is, the medical talent of this place is not very formidable.
I also have another hope -- that this country will in a very
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few years increase in population. So much for my prospects. We experienced great inconvenience in procuring conveyance from the mouth of White river to this place, which has, as yet, prevented my brother from commencing housekeeping. The result of which is we are yet at boarding-houses, but we are encouraged with the belief that the furniture and other articles will reach us in a few days.
The house for his residence, attached to which are two fine offices, my brother has already rented, for which he gives the round sum of $250 - every thing being considered, the cheap- est bargain that could be had, rents being very high.
The governor arrived here on last Sunday in good health, (Governor Pope). Heleft his family in Kentucky, designing to bring them to the country next fall. He is truly a very in- telligent, sociable and agreeable man, and apparently has so far produced a very favorable impression on the minds of the peo- ple. Since his arrival he has been closely engaged in transact- ing executive business.
The people, as far as I have been able to observe, are of the opinion that the change in the administration of the territorial government will have a most happy effect.
I came from Randolph to the Arkansas Post on the steamer Pocahontas for $20.
We are all well and wish to be remembered in love to our relations.
I remain your affectionate son, JNO. T. FULTON.
Governor Fulton was frequently a visitor at the Hermitage, and was sometimes accompanied by his accomplished wife, Matilda F. Noland, whom he married at Florence, Alabama, in 1823. On one occasion General Jackson and his wife visited the young couple at Florence, not long after their marriage. When the old general wrote to his young friend: " You may rely on my friendship," it meant all the language imports, and it culminated in a seat in the national senate.
Governor Fulton acted as secretary of the territory from May, 1829, to March, 1835. On the 9th of March, 1835, he was appointed governor of the territory, in which office he con-
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tinued until the admission of Arkansas as a State, in 1836. Perhaps nothing attests his great popularity with the people more than his almost unanimous election to the senate of the United States at the organization of the State government in the fall of 1836. He had, with all the energy of his nature, from conscientious convictions, opposed the admission of Ar- kansas as a State, against the will of a large majority of the people. The excitement against him from this circumstance was strong, but such was the confidence and esteem in which he was held, and the purity of his character and official career, that the people overlooked his opposition to their wishes, and renewed their confidence in him by electing him to the senate, almost immediately after they had overcome and crushed out his opposition. But few men ever fortify themselves so strongly in the hearts of the people, and the people rarely make idols of men unworthy of high trust.
Governor Fulton drew the short term, which expired in March, 1840. In 1839, he was elected his own snecessor in the senate, with practical unanimity. Arkansas was ably repre- sented in the first congress after her admission into the Union, with Sevier and Fulton in the senate, and Yell in the house. Governor Fulton returned from Washington about the 1st of August, 1844, in perfect health. Rosewood, his suburban residence, had been recently painted and was occupied by him before the paint had dried sufficiently. He inhaled and ab- sorbed the noxious poison, from the effects of which he died on the 15th of August, 1844.
No man in the State was more universally beloved than Governor Fulton, and none of her citizens ever died more uni- versally regretted. It was well said by his distinguished col- league in the senate, when delivering his funeral oration in that body, that "he had honorably filled every station to which he had been called in life from the humblest to the greatest." He was a volunteer soldier boy in the war of 1812, and "no braver knight ever fought beneath a plume." He was a vol- unteer under Major Trigg, to storm and capture the old negro fort on the Appalachicola. As aid-de-camp to General Jackson, he carried the orders of his general over the battle-fields of Mickashucky and Suwany, and when his general called for
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volunteers to storm the frowning batteries of Fort Barancos, young Fulton stepped to the head of the column, to lead the forlorn hope under the gallant Colonel Brooke. But the last sacrifice became unnecessary ; these deeds won the heart of the old general who became the nation's idol.
Governor Fulton was as gentle as a woman, but as firm as a rock against the approach of any thing tempting him from the line of duty.
Governor Fulton's Letter to his Wife - Name the boy, I say, "Old Hickory" - Appointment of Noland Sutler at Fort Gibson - His Wife a Belle of Nashville - Death of the boy and Noland.
WASHINGTON, February 7, 1832.
DEAR MATILDA - I wrote you last week informing you of the many trials I had on the journey here. I have met many of my old friends. Gadsden, and Call are both here. I think Gadsden will succeed Governor Du Val as governor of Florida. Gadsden and most of my old friends still remain warmly at- tached to Mr. Calhoun, without incurring the least displeasure of the president. Indeed, I think all of Mr. Calhoun's friends would have been favorably regarded by the president, if they had not permitted their resentment toward Mr. Van Buren, to influence them (as I think) too much in their course toward the president.
If our little one is a boy, you must call him " Old Hickory." I will tell you why. I heard night before last of the death of General John Hicks, sutler at Cantonment Gibson [now called Fort Gibson .- AUTHOR]. Sevier agreed at once to join me in recommending your brother Edward Noland for the vacancy. We went together yesterday morning to see the president, and found him and the secretary of war in consultation over this very matter. If we had been one-half hour later the vacancy would have been filled. The secretary told us our chance was doubtful, as the appointment would probably be made from Virginia. When the president announced we might be admit- ted, the secretary returned to the president with us. The mo- ment Edward's name was mentioned, the president expressed the inost, decided preference for him, and in a few moments he
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decided he should have the appointment. His commission will be mailed to him to-day or to-morrow. The office, it is believed, will be worth $5,000 per annum. Does not the president de- serve our everlasting gratitude ? Call the boy, I say, " Old Hickory." Andrew Jackson is so common a name.
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